In preparation for reporting on the general state of the Moto X bootloader, we reached out to AT&T for an official statement on the matter. We know that many potential buyers want to know whether they can fully modify their phones, especially after the HTC One X and Galaxy S4 were denied unlockable bootloaders on the carrier. Here's what they said in reply:

To ensure a safe and consistent experience on your wireless device, we do not support unlocked bootloaders.

That's a blanket statement. There's no room for give and take, and presumably it's applicable to all AT&T phones and tablets going forward. It is not what power users want to hear.

What's the solution? Easy: buy unlocked devices off-contract and pop in your AT&T SIM, or just switch to another carrier. Of course this isn't great if you like the savings of the contract -subsidy model that's become the standard for American carriers. I can't help but feel like all this would be much less of a problem if carriers (and to a lesser extent, device manufacturers) were more on the ball when it comes to software updates.

Comments

want to make change? vote with your money and have more people start subscribing to t-mobile. however, coverage still remains a dealbreaker to many and many people are happy/content to stay with ATT.

sporty377

Im on verizon...and im lucky that t-mobile has good coverage in my area.. .so after my contract with vzw is up im switching....

http://papped.webatu.com papped

US consumers don't vote with their money (at least the masses). They complain and then continue doing the same thing...

enoch861

Man, as much as that statement sucks, its so true!

AndroidUser00110001

An idiot is someone who keeps doing the same thing over and over expecting different results ;-)

Barnassey

Actually thats the definition of insanity. But close.

begadkepat

Actually it's not, so.

Aplmustdie

Unfortunately my wife likes AT&T . . . so I'm along for the lovin'

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

Yeah, I will still buy unlocked if I need to, or just use a workaround if one is available, because AT&T's services tops T-Mobile's right now by a long margin.

Cuvis

So go with an AT&T-based MVNO. Not an ideal solution, but far better (and cheaper) than giving your money directly to them.

shonangreg

Do any of the MVNOs in the States offer the ability to rollover to more expensive carriers when out of your core area? I think an MVNO that normally uses T-Mobile but then switches to AT&T if necessary would be cheap and reliable.

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

Their MVNOs don't have the same coverage, especially when it comes to LTE. At least last time I looked.

timrcm

They don't offer LTE, but the coverage is largely the same if you can put up with HSPA+. Net10/Straight Talk even have almost the same roaming agreements for that random 1% of the country.

That being said, in rural IL AT&T is absolute crap, so I'm stuck with my (luckily company reimbursed) Verizon line for my main phone. I did the whole unlocked Galaxy Nexus followed by a Nexus 4 thing on T-Mobile and Straight Talk for over a year, and ended up having to give up on it. Too many random deadspots for my liking. Luckily, my company reimburses me either way.

Joshua Morgan

Exactly. I get the best and cheapest service on AT&T.

Bob Allen

Unfortunately, that's the boat I'm in. I work out in the boonies so it's either Verizon, AT&T, or no service. Oh well, at least I have my S-off One for now and I forsee more unlocked LTE phones in the future.

jb

when people say tmo has bad coverage, do they mean that they are dropping calls and missing texts, or that they dropping to edge data sometimes?

i could live with slow data sometimes, but not dropped calls....

Cuvis

Depends where you live. In my area, I get the occasional drop to EDGE or loss of data altogether, but voice is rock solid. At my girlfriend's house (about an hour and a half away), I lose everything.

timrcm

Both. In rural IL I've found 10-15 mile wide gaps in their coverage with nothing whatsoever. Also, I rarely drop to EDGE. I drop straight down to GPRS, which is 100% unusable even for the most basic data. Think a Google Voice text taking 20 minutes to send.

The Now Network

Hi Artem,

Feeling let down by AT&T and their approach to locking down their devices? We know how you feel. We here at Sprint value our customers and their choice to modify their firmware. In doing so we allow people to unlock their bootloaders. Verizon and AT&T care more about profits and not listening to customer feedback. We've got you covered.

Regards,

Dan

Ray

Hahaha!

Project Mayhem

bahahahahaha. Dan Hesse?

Daniel Medlin

Maybe you should care a little more about profits and fix your crippled network.

Regards,

Dan

The Now Network

Hi Daniel,

We've been listening to our customers and we are currently in the process of overhauling our network. With Network Vision, we are doing nationwide upgrades to better handle the capacity in this ever growing digital age. In doing so, our customers will have better data speeds, better call quality, and expanded coverage. With the recent acquisition by Softbank and the Clearwire buyout, we are more motivated than ever to build out the best network in the country. Maybe you should educate yourself more.

Regards,

Dan

BenderBendingRodriguez0101001

I've been following this guy ever since his first post at droid life. There have been some interesting conversations. lol

Daniel Medlin

Yeah that one week crapfest I spent on your "network" was more than enough education for me. Why get tied to a two year contract and deal with that hot garbage? John Legere cares about us and am more than happy where I'm at now. Please feel free to let us all know when it will not take 15 minutes to download Facebook from the PlayStore.

Regards,

Dan

Alex

You do realize it's not really Sprint's CEO, right?

Daniel Medlin

Of course I know its a parody. But my comments really are genuine. I picked up two HTC Ones about a month and a half ago with Sprint because we had a good deal with work. Their coverage map showed excellent coverage in my area and I couldn't even send a text or make a call. I took them back a week later and told the store manager they should be ashamed to even sell new contracts with the condition the network is in "now".

John O’Connor

Hey Dan, When is Masayoshi having a housewarming party?

The Now Network

Hey John,

Thank you for asking. He invited us over for a traditional Japanese feast next month. Not sure I'll like it though. I'm a steak and beer kind of guy and I can't hold down that sake junk. I have a thing for Japanese women so that will be something I look forward to. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again,

Dan

Bojan Gutic

Oh. My. God.

That was an incredibly well worded bitch slap!

I was on Verizon until yesterday, when I switched to T-Mobile. T-Mobile and Sprint are the only two carriers I ever recommend to people because they care about the customers as much as they do.

Jeremiah Rice

Hi Dan,

Love the open device policy and unlimited service. When you get a network that can keep at least one bar outside the city limits, give me a call (on my locked-down Verizon phone).

Jeremiah

The Now Network

Hi Jeremiah,

So sad to hear you're stuck with Verizon. It may take a decade to fix our network issues but I'll be sure to call you personally when we have the issue sorted out.

Regards,

Dan

TSON1

YAS DRAAAAG EM
(Now come out with a JUMP competitor already)

Sir_Brizz

I was on Sprint ten years ago, and, though you guys have improved, you are still not where I would expect you to be at this point. Primarily, you guys need to swallow the pill and get off CDMA. I would probably still be a Sprint customer if I could have brought unlocked devices on your network.

marcusmaximus04

Honestly, I've never been all that interested in Sprint. Mostly because over here in San Diego, we only get 3G on Sprint. Yes, San Diego. County population 3.14 million as of 2011(in other words ~1% of the total US population). And we only get 3G. WHY?

John O’Connor

Sprints coverage in San Diego (4g LTE) is about 30% built out now. Much better that the 5 wimax "protection sites" we had in 2010 and still have.
Dan, we would appreciate your presence over at s4gru.

spunker88

You could always go prepaid, their prepaid plans now offer 4G LTE. The $60 unlimited plan with 2GB of data doesn't look too bad. Sure Tmobile is cheaper but if you live in a rural area they are often not an option.

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

I need about 6GB (more if I want to feel more relaxed about streaming), and I have a family plan. I don't think prepaid is the way to go for me.

timrcm

6GB just for yourself, or for every line shared? I can't use that much data by myself without really trying, but I have WiFi at home, work, and.. most other places I go. Hotels, restaurants, you name it, most have WiFi around here. I'd like to think we aren't unique in that since I'm just in a small city in IL, not a major area.

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

6GB just by myself. I can easily hit this cap with Wi-Fi enabled everywhere.

John O’Connor

I'm a little confused on 2gb=unlimited. Anyone?

http://planetmew.com/blog/ Christopher Glass

To ensure a consistent experience on my wireless device, we do not support AT&T.

Joshua Morgan

A good thought but having been on most carriers, I get the most affordable rates and the most reliable service on AT&T

Cuvis

I'll buy reliable service, but affordable rates? I doubt it.

Joshua Morgan

I can't find another company that can offer me 5 lines with unlimited texting, roadside service, smart phone unlimited data on 2 lines and nonsmart phone unlimited data for the other 3 lines for $221 after taxes.

frankbyers

TMobile and Sprint are definitely the cheapest in my experience, followed by AT&T then Verizon.

Andres Schmois

Verizon may be the most expensive, but with no texting and limited minutes I get unlimited data for 30 bucks a month per device and 10 dollars per phone line. (I was wise enough to change my device right before unlimited plans gave out and kept it for another two years.) For 5 lines (4 data 1 regular) I pay 170 bucks a month (-10% MIT employer discount). I'd say I've got the best of both worlds. Still once my plan is up I don't know what I'll do.

woofa

They are. But when the service is spotty or just lousy cheap doesn't mean anything. I'll sooner pay more for a carrier that actually works whenever I need it to over ones that when I need to use my phone I can't get service. I've been on all the major carriers and others.

Cuvis

You must be on some kind of long-grandfathered plan. AT&T doesn't offer unlimited data anymore, and I can't even come close to that price on their website.

Joshua Morgan

I am grandfatheredin . And unfortunately none of the carriers offer anythingclosewith having to have 5 lines. And in my area AT&T is the best in terms of reception

SetiroN

So why are you even advocating for at&t with plans that don't even exist?
Seriously people.

Barnassey

You know you made yourself sound PROFOUNDLY ignorant talking prices when you aren't even on regular plans.

Joshua Morgan

I'm not quite sure why you found it ABSOLUTELY necessary to post on here for the pure purpose of insulting me. My point was as some were stated how AT&T is overpriced and to vote with our wallets. So I was stating that there are some of us that stay on AT&T because the service is better and cheaper than other services.

Obviously it's not true for you and many others. I'm not sure why my post was a big deal. I see quite a few posts where people mention being grandfathered in and don't see others respond to them in such a negative manner.

I guess I didn't think the enternet and response areas on blogs were that serious.

It's the generic family plan with five lines. Not sure how it's unavailable to you.

GazaIan

T-Mobile. Though reliable really varies by location (they're super reliable in New York at least).

rootarded

I use the T-Mobile prepaid $30 a month for unlimited data and text and 100 phone minutes. Love it.

Milind

How about $175 for unlimited talk+text+data on T-Mobile? The first and second line are still too expensive on T-Mobile, but you can't beat unlimited talk+text+data for $25 for the 3rd, 4th and 5th lines.

woofa

Reliable service? Um no. Not in my area. I suffered thru completely dead zones and in general lousy service for years.

"Right now, we're signing up new accounts in select Texas, Florida, Georgia and Illinois markets. We're expanding to new markets over the coming months, so look out for us in your area."

Unfortunately, that's not where I live.

suprah

what kind of plan is that?

Krzysztof Jozwik

100 minutes unlimited text 5gigs of data at faux G then 2G after.

Darrien Glasser

I'm actually doing the exact same thing right now to be honest. But for the people who need AT&T coverage at TMO prices, it's certainly a viable option.

Jonathan Richten

AT&T is the GSM version of Verizon

Cuvis

"or just switch to another carrier"

This is the best option, frankly. Whether you go T-Mo or an MVNO, you won't have to deal with AT&T's high prices and asinine policies anymore.

sheesh

that logo

Joshua Morgan

I think the average user isn't concerned with unlocked bootloaders.

Justin W

Still, it was a retarded thing for them to say since they are GSM and support SIM Unlocked devices (and with that, you can get Bootloader unlocked devices on that).

Cuvis

I think the average AP reader isn't the average user.

TonyArcher

Device prices are inflated. They all only have about $100 worth of hardware in them and it's shrinking fast.

Doan

All consumer product prices are inflated compared to their physical value. As they should be, considering there are much more money and resources going into their creation and manufacturing than simply the hardware contained within.

Sir_Brizz

Most products don't have as much margin on them as cell phones do, though. We're talking about less than $200 of hardware being sold for over $600. That's a 300% markup. That's the kind of thing you get with cheapo store brands (like Dynex cables at Best Buy, while every other cable is marked up only about 20%).

Björn Lundén

You still don't seem to understand that most of the cost comes from the expensive design (hardware and software) and manufacturing processes. The cost of the physical hardware is only a small part of the cost that went into the product.

As such, you can't really count markup they way you do if you want to come up with a number that makes sense.The generally accepted markup figures for smartphones that I've heard stated are around 20-25% and possibly lower in some cases. Apple has historically been at around 40% but that is shrinking slightly too from what I hear.

Sir_Brizz

I can't even describe how wrong this is.

Hardware and software design are sunk costs that are already expended before the product is released. While the profit from succeeding profits has to overcome that cost to a certain degree, sales volume makes this shrink to almost nothing per unit.

Manufacturing processes are not developed per product.

This kind of mark up is ridiculous no matter which way you cut it.

Krzysztof Jozwik

There is R&D / Shipping / manufacturing / paying executive salaries in the process as well.

Tykin

Just cancelled my AT&T service and moved to T-Mobile! Cheaper, more features, and I'm getting LTE on my Nexus 4 in Dallas!

Ryan

Really now? I live in the same general area. Good to know their coverage is decent as I've been debating about making the jump from Verizon to T-Mobile for a while since my contact is gone. Excuse the pun. Just waiting for more Moto X news about customizing on the t-mobile network since I'm avoiding AT&T at all costs now.

timrcm

One person saying he's "getting LTE" tells you the coverage is great for your entire city? Really? Maybe he just lives under a tower? T-Mobile, as a whole, is abysmal right now unless you live RIGHT in a city. Rural areas are virtually non-existent.

Bob Allen

In short, pay us and don't bother us you peasants! :-P

Aaron Stevens

Guess they're just wanting to cut support costs down massively so AT&T users with custom roms can't phone in to complain about bugs.

Justin W

So, that's why they support any SIM unlocked device on their network? I can get a device that has an unlocked SIM with an unlockable bootloader (hello Nexus) and get it on AT&T. They make no sense.

Elvira Dickerson

I always suggest clients and friends find another carrier besides AT&T. They are the very definition of rip-off artists. I like T-Mobile small business with no contract and my Google sourced Nexus 4. Been there about eight years and never looked back.

Hal Motley

I did that when I went to SF last month. Brought my i9100 and popped at AT&T SIM in. Worked a treat, but 200MB is measly. Here in the UK I have a 1GB of roaming data and the recipient getting charged for receiving a call? What's up with that?

QwietStorm

Oh look, more corporate control.

PhineasJW

By now, everyone Android user who's ever been on a tech website should be buying either Nexus phones or GPE phones.

Chris

Nexus = GSM
Me = CDMA
GPE Phones = More than I can afford at the moment

I'm stuck, help.

PhineasJW

You've gotta either live with the phone the way the carrier intended it. Or, find a phone with an unlocked bootloader and manually install Cyanogen ROM.

Chris

This blows me away. I don't see why they don't just offer an unlocked bootloader version of the phone, or a tool that requires a local tool to do so. People purchasing an unlocked bootloader version of the phone know exactly what they are getting into... most of the time. I thought the FCC deemed locked down bootloaders illegal, granted the device we own is OUR device that WE have paid for.

It's as if I bought a box of lollipops to only find out the box is unopenable, because the lollipop manufacture thought it might be contaminated with bugs.

AndroidUser00110001

AT&T has the best service for me in my area. Once my contract ran out I tried T-Mobile but service was not so great. Unlocked my S4 and now using AT&T prepaid with LTE service. For now on I will be unlocked phones to use with AT&T. I am guessing from here on out all phones will support their LTE bands.

MrWareWolf

No unlocked bootloader = NO att/verizon for me.. Not a problem for me.. both suck and screw their clients.. so get some regard for your clients or you will be without my biz forever..

Asphyx

Until people are prepared to give up their Data Crack and tell these carriers NO your going to have to agree to bend over and take that pipe horizontally!

David Thoren

"Of course this isn't great if you like the savings of the contract -subsidy model that's become the standard for American carriers."... WHAT?! What "savings" are you referring to? US contract rates are unconscionably high, even accounting for the subsidy!

sweenish

It's worth noting there are NO savings with the contract/subsidy model. It's perceived savings. Obviously if you plan on sticking with ATT in spite of all this, the contract/subsidy is a savings over outright purchases; you're just acknowledging the fact that ATT has you bent over and grabbing your ankles.

aprilius20

Telcos in the US seem to have way too much power.
It's not so bad where I live, but I still but my phones directly from the manufacturer- don't want any ridiculous contract tying me down, even if it means I have to pay more for the phone (though to be honest it's the phone I want- can't be bothered about the phone line).

http://www.deathbycone.com Jared Kotoff

Looks like my money doesn't support your network.

Robert Baker

I am a teed off ATT customer. We should file a class action lawsuit, especially considering that we pay full price for these phones!!! G****mn these motherf****rs! They should be sued until their f***ing great great great great grandchildren have to pay the f***ing bill!!!! F*** YOU, AT&T!!!!

Duuuh, because stock rom is packed with tools to spy on you. At&t has always been the worst.

Railwayman

Those carriers enable a new kind of horror movie.:)

Namely when a customer with an unlocked device threatens to take the whole network down by putting the SIM card in it and boot it up. It seems like unlocked and rooted devices are a deadly threat to the network integrity of AT&T and Verizon if I am to believe their common arguments in favor of locked BLs etc.

The only problem is that it is BS. They should know that all devices are tested and certified before going to sale, a device that affects the network negatively wouldn't be sold at all. Theoretically, a damaged and badly adjusted radio could create problems on the network but the last time I know that things like that happened was in the 90s (old devices needed to get their radio "trimmed" at times since they could be out of alignment sometimes, causing bad reception).

It is just impossible to cause any harm to a network by using a device which is rooted with unlocked bootloader.

I would say that those carriers must have rubbish networks when they use that argument.:)

No, the reason why they lock bootloaders are simple: proprietary vendor lock-in and the assumption that people will accept limitations like paying for tethering, navigation and other things rather than trying to debloat their device and use free, alternative services.

On the other hand, consumers buying branded and locked devices send strong signals to the carriers that their business practices are accepted - the result is that they continue with their restrictions.

I had two branded devices in my life and never ever again. My experience with unlocked devices without carrier affiliation is just superior.

Getting a new branded device is just a no go to me but it is funny to see what the US carriers does with the products. The branding and bloatware is hilarious but people clearly accept it.;) I just don't.:)

If I want grandfathered in I would drop at&t so fast but true unlimited data is a pretty heavy anchor to someone who is a tremendous days user. Curse you at&t and the fact you have dropped the ball on updating the s3 and note 2.

disqus_0DvjPGmqim

Wasn't

Omes

Were still going to unlock itnno matter what

Jeff D

Here's the solution to AT&T not offering phones with unlocked bootloaders:
1) Buy an iPhone 5S when they launch for $200.
2)Sell the iPhone 5S brand new in the box for $600 to $700.
3)Put the profit towards a Google Play Edition Android.

EliasAlucard

Screw you, AT&T. Here in Sweden, I only buy my smartphones from Tele2, precisely because they don't modify their Android phones with locks and restrictions. Freedom baby, is never having to say you're sorry.

j3.cole

Sorry that you see the same post from me everywhere but this needs to be said EVERYWHERE
On July 26, 2010, the United States Copyright Office announced a new exemption making it officially legal to root a device

The US government is ok with it so whats AT&T's problem ?!?!?!?

Shawn

The level of arrogance AT&T has by locking and preventing use on other carriers is simply unethical. We will look back at this in the future with outrage and Sprint / Others will pick up the slack.

John Blair

Do NOT buy a Galaxy Note 3 or ANY Android phone from AT&T
until you read this – They can NOT be ROOTED. AT&T: Unlock OUR Samsung
Galaxy Note 3 Bootloader! Please join this campaign: http://chn.ge/1hsZUGV

What does it mean for the average user? Less freedom. Less
resale value (Used phones that cannot be rooted are undesirable. What does it
mean for "Power Users" and folks that love to have the best of
everything? It means these phones cannot be modded. In any way. No Boot Loader
unlock means no root. No root means no custom recovery. No custom recovery
means no custom ROMs. no STOCK ROMS with performance tweaks. No ROMs of any
type.

It means that anyone who cares a lot about their mobile device
should start looking elsewhere. Like T-Mobile, where they still value their
customers. I am taking 5 lines of service over to T-Mobile SPECIFICALLY because
of this bone headed move. AT&T: WHAT HAPPENED?

John Blair

Petition is starting to gather some steam - we have just over 400 signatures, but hope for many more. Every signature gained sends an email to the followingAT&T Executives, including Ralph De La Vega (whose name became infamous with the root method for AT&T Note 3; "Root De La Vega"

This is not region locking. It's not SIM locking, its outright DEVICE LOCKING and its a terrible development for the Android Platform. If it continues, it will stifle MOST of the development communities contribution to the platform. And it will cause Android Market Share to significantly decrease

Best regards,

John Blair

Anonymous AT&T USER

Hey hows it going?
just wanted to ask a question...
i just recently bought an HTC ONE google play edition
and have been wanting to unlock the bootloader
my phone was bought unlocked of off ebay
and i have at&t prepaid
so... is it possible to unlock the bootloader with htcdev?

angryandroid

pay for device and then get locked out making change to your device.how can this be justified.I move away from iphone and now same thing is happening to android too.

Marcoiv

There needs to be some sort of class action lawsuit over the locked bootloader issue in particular and attempts to manipulate user's control over their hardware in general. Its clearly BS... If I buy a phone with capabilities n1.... n5, then surely I have the right to access those capabilities through the software of my choosing. ATT is a CARRIER.... Their job is give me a line for my phone and access to the internet, not to control that access under the paternalistic guise of "consistent experience." Any attempt by Apple, Google, or ATT, Verizon, etc. to control the show is motivated by wanting to control the dollars flowing from my pocket to theirs. We shouldn't have to buy "locked" or "unlocked" or "Jail broken" or "unjailbroken" or "rooted" or "unrooted" phones. There's hardware and there's software. Right? You put a camera in my phone. I'll decide what software I'll use to control it - all the way down the manipulable OS software chain. I'll worry about my "consistent experience." How nuts it is that we accept the situation in which we put up "bounties" to get what's so obviously our right to have - full access to our own paid for hardware...